Kosovan passport

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The Kosovan passport will be issued to citizens of the partially recognized Republic of Kosovo for international travel. It is intended to be made available for citizens of Kosovo whether they live in Kosovo or abroad. The passport design was disclosed 14 March 2008.[1]

According to the new design the passports will be in dark blue color, while in the middle they will have the coat of arms of the Republic of Kosovo.[2] Before the introduction of the new national passports, ones issued by the United Nations administration are still issued.[3]

[edit] Recognition

Due to Kosovo's controversial declaration of independence, there are many countries that refuse to recognize it. Thus, they do not accept passports issued by the government of Kosovo.[3] The current UN passports aren't valid everywhere either. Because of this, many Kosovans use and apply for Serbian passports instead. The Serbian passports are given to Kosovans since Serbian authorities issue them in Kosovo in the same manner as in Serbia. This is because Serbia doesn't recognize the Republic of Kosovo but considers it a province of Serbia.[4]

Serbian passports are issued in Kosovo only to Pristina residents. Other Kosovars must apply in offices located in Serbia. Many don't have access to these offices because they don't have any travel documents permitting them to enter Serbia. This centralized passport administration system has driven many to illegally obtain a Serbian passport either from fake passport dealers[5] or through paying someone licensed to travel for applying.[6]

Map of states' positions on Kosovo independence      Kosovo      States which formally recognise Kosovo as an independent state      States which formally do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state      States which have not made a formal decision on whether to recognize Kosovo as an independent state
Map of states' positions on Kosovo independence      Kosovo      States which formally recognise Kosovo as an independent state      States which formally do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state      States which have not made a formal decision on whether to recognize Kosovo as an independent state

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kosovo unveils new passport - SBS World News Australia. SBS World News Australia (2008-03-14). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  2. ^ Koha Ditore - Dokumentet e Republikës së Kosovës para verës (Albanian). Koha Ditore (2008-03-14). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  3. ^ a b Ping pong team to compete under Kosovo flag, but troubles linger for new state - International Herald Tribune. International Herald Tribune (2008-02-25). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  4. ^ Kosovo Albanians shun Serbia, but not its passports. news.sawf.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
  5. ^ BalkanInsight.com - Kosovo Police In Fake Passport Bust. www.balkaninsight.com (2008-04-10). Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
  6. ^ BIRN - INVESTIGATION: Ex-Policemen Run Kosovo Passport Scam. kosovo.birn.eu.com (2006-12-01). Retrieved on 2008-04-13.

[edit] External links

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